A storm door that gives you a full pane of glass in winter and a full screen in summer, without ever storing a heavy screen insert in the garage, sounds almost too convenient. The Larson Platinum retractable screen storm door delivers exactly that with its Screen Away system, where the screen rolls up into a hidden cassette at the top of the door when you lower the glass. I have installed several of these on customer homes, and the retractable screen is the feature people rave about months later.
- How the Screen Away System Works
- Key Features of the Platinum Series
- Sizing and Fit
- What It Costs
- Installation Tips From the Field
- Living With the Door: Pros and Cons
- Is It Worth It?
- Energy Savings and Comfort
- Handle, Lock, and Color Options
- Caring for the Retractable Screen
- How It Compares to Other Storm Doors
How the Screen Away System Works
Traditional storm doors force a seasonal chore: swap the glass panel for a screen panel each spring, then reverse it each fall, and find somewhere to store the panel you are not using. Larson’s Platinum series eliminates that entirely. The full-length glass slides down into the bottom rail, and as it goes, a retractable screen automatically deploys from a cassette hidden in the header. Raise the glass and the screen disappears again.
Because the screen is only exposed when you want ventilation, it stays cleaner and lasts longer than a screen that bakes in the sun year-round. There is no panel to lose, no storage to figure out, and switching between glass and screen takes about five seconds with one hand.
Key Features of the Platinum Series
The Platinum line sits at the top of Larson’s retractable offerings, and the upgrades over cheaper storm doors are real.
- Heavy-duty aluminum frame: a robust extruded frame that resists warping and feels solid on a full-view opening
- Screen Away retractable screen: the disappearing insect screen that is the door’s headline feature
- Multi-point or hardened lock hardware: upgraded handle sets with a deadbolt option for security
- Tamper-resistant hinges and a heavy sweep: better weather sealing against drafts and driving rain
- Maintenance-free finish: baked-on paint in white, sandstone, black, and other colors that will not need repainting
The glass on Platinum models is typically tempered safety glass, and many configurations qualify for Larson’s long limited warranty covering the frame and the screen mechanism.
Sizing and Fit
Larson storm doors are built to fit standard exterior door openings, most commonly 32, 34, and 36 inches wide, with a standard 81-inch height. The door is reversible for left- or right-hand hinging, which you set during installation, so you do not have to specify a handing when you buy. Before purchasing, measure the width of your existing door opening at the top, middle, and bottom, and the height on both sides, then match to Larson’s sizing chart. Out-of-square or oversized openings may need a custom order.
If your brickmold opening is narrower or wider than standard, Larson sells Z-bar expander and filler kits to bridge small gaps, which is far easier than modifying the frame itself.
What It Costs
Expect the Larson Platinum retractable screen storm door to run roughly $350 to $550 for the door itself at home centers, depending on size, color, and hardware package, with premium finishes and deadbolt handle sets pushing toward the top of that range. Professional installation typically adds $150 to $350, so a fully installed door usually lands between $500 and $900.
That is more than a basic $150 aluminum storm door, but the retractable screen, upgraded hardware, and heavier frame justify the step up for a door you will use every day for a decade or more.
Installation Tips From the Field
These doors are genuinely DIY-friendly for a confident homeowner, and the kit includes the Z-bar mounting brackets, screws, sweep, and hardware you need. Plan on two to four hours for a first-timer.
- Dry-fit the door in the opening before drilling to confirm reveal and swing direction
- Mount the hinge-side Z-bar first, plumb and tight to the brickmold
- Hang the door, then set the latch-side and top Z-bars for an even gap all around
- Install the closer and safety chain, adjusting the closer speed so the door does not slam
- Test the Screen Away cassette by lowering the glass fully and confirming the screen deploys evenly
The one step people rush is squaring the door in the opening. Take your time here, because a door hung out of square will bind the retractable screen and leave uneven gaps that let in drafts and bugs.
Living With the Door: Pros and Cons
After the honeymoon phase, here is the honest assessment. The retractable screen is a genuine quality-of-life upgrade, especially for anyone tired of wrestling seasonal panels. The full-view glass floods entryways with light in winter, and the ventilation on a spring evening is excellent.
On the downside, the retractable screen mechanism is a moving part, so it needs occasional cleaning of the bottom track to keep rolling smoothly, and a severely warped or slammed door can throw off the cassette. Keep the door closer adjusted so the door never slams, keep the track free of debris, and the screen system stays reliable for years.
Is It Worth It?
For homeowners who want light, ventilation, and zero seasonal panel-swapping, the Larson Platinum retractable screen storm door is one of the best upgrades you can make to a front or back entry. It costs more than a bargain storm door, but the disappearing screen, solid frame, and maintenance-free finish earn that premium every summer you never have to hunt for a screen panel again.
Energy Savings and Comfort
A storm door is more than a bug barrier; it creates an insulating air pocket between itself and your entry door that can noticeably cut drafts and heat loss. In winter, the full-length glass panel adds a buffer against cold air infiltration around your main door, and in summer the retractable screen lets you pull a cross-breeze through the house without opening the door to insects.
The comfort gain is most obvious on an exposed entry that catches wind or afternoon sun. On a west-facing door, the glass reduces the heat that would otherwise radiate through an open entry, and the tight weatherstripping and heavy sweep on the Platinum series seal the perimeter far better than a bargain door. Homeowners in mixed climates often report the entryway simply feels less drafty after installation.
Handle, Lock, and Color Options
Part of the Platinum appeal is the range of finish and hardware choices that let the door match your home rather than looking like a generic add-on. Larson offers the frame in white, sandstone, almond, black, and other baked-on colors that never need repainting, so you can complement or contrast your entry door.
- Handle finishes: satin nickel, brass, oil-rubbed bronze, and black to match your entry hardware
- Locking options: a keyed deadbolt on security-minded configurations for a second layer of protection
- Glass styles: clear tempered glass is standard, with decorative and low-E options available
Coordinating the storm door handle finish with your existing entry-door lockset is a small detail that makes the whole doorway look intentional and finished.
Caring for the Retractable Screen
The Screen Away cassette is a moving mechanism, so a little upkeep keeps it rolling smoothly for years. Every few months, wipe the bottom track clean of grit, leaves, and pet hair that can cause the screen to catch or roll unevenly. Operate the screen gently rather than yanking the glass, and keep the door closer adjusted so the door never slams, since a hard impact can jar the cassette out of alignment.
If the screen ever hesitates or bunches, the cause is almost always debris in the track or a door hung slightly out of square. Cleaning the track resolves most issues, and Larson’s long warranty covers the screen mechanism itself, so a genuine failure is unlikely to leave you paying out of pocket.
How It Compares to Other Storm Doors
To decide whether the Platinum is right for you, weigh it against the alternatives. A basic aluminum storm door with a swap-out panel runs as little as $120 to $180 but demands the seasonal chore of storing and switching glass and screen inserts. A mid-range full-view door with a slide-down glass panel avoids the storage problem but leaves the screen exposed to weather year-round.
The Larson Platinum’s retractable screen is what sets it apart, hiding the screen when it is not in use so it stays cleaner and lasts longer, while the heavier frame and upgraded hardware push it toward the premium end. If you want the cheapest possible door, the Platinum is not it. If you want a door you will enjoy using every day for a decade without ever handling a loose screen panel, the step up in price is easy to justify.
